For all the pet lovers out there, this story is for you. Last week Cloture Club was invited to the 15th Annual Celebrity Pet Night, an event to celebrate the human-animal bond and honor the animal health industry’s role in keeping pets healthy. This is probably one of the most fun events I’ve been to on the Hill – where else can a French bulldog loving, animal obsessed Hill staffer hob-knob with the Frenchie who stole Zach Galifianakis’ heart?
Every year, the Animal Health Institute brings Congress together to socialize with some very cute and photogenic four-legged celebrities and the human trainers they put up with. Bodie, the adorable (and I mean Adorable!) French bulldog who played Sonny, Zach Galifianakis’ sidekick in “Due Date,” and Cheeto the feline star who played the villainous sidekick Azrael to Gargamel in “The Smurfs,” were kind enough to join eleven Congressmen and some lucky staff members at the BYOP (Bring Your Own Pet) event in the Cannon Caucus Room. In true celebrity fashion, they answered some questions at a press conference before the big event, perfectly posed and ready for their close-ups.
Cheeto is a rescued cat and since wrapping “The Smurfs,” has joined five other celebrity kitties in the home of his trainer, who said they “become part of the family.” Spoiler alert: Cheeto is actually one of two cats who played Azrael in the movie. With long hours and specific stunts needed, Cheeto had a cat double to help with filming. How did he get accustomed to acting with the GCI little blue men? Some patience, extra training, and some tasty treats.
Bodie, the ever so relaxed Frenchie, bonded early on with his improvisation–loving costars, with Galifianakis doting on the little star. In fact, a lot of the exchanges between Bodie and Galifianakis’ in the movie were improvisation. Her trainer said she loves meeting people, which was evident in her cheerful greeting of everyone in the room, even Cheeto. When asked if she’d be heading over to the White House for a play date with Bo, her trainer said “She’s like that shy girl in class, timid at first but when you get to know her she really has a spark,” so he thinks they would get along just fine.
Both our celebrities were asked which party they identified with. The answer: A meow from Cheeto and a quizzical stare from Bodie. We’ll leave the campaigning to the Congressmen.
An update on the winners and runner-ups in the Annual Cutest pets on Capitol Hill Contest.
For more pictures and a full list of participating Congressmen, click here to visit the AHI website.
The Animal Health Institute represents companies that make medicines for pets and farm animals, and is the organization behind the award-winning educational campaign – Healthy People. Healthy Animals. Healthy Planet. The program was established to shed light on the nexus between human health and animal health, as many people are unaware of the health issues they can share with pets and all animals. With pets and people living in such close quarters, increased awareness of the connection between human and animal health will help improve understanding of how we can prevent disease transmission from pets and food animals.
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